The article that could have been quite informative had more than two people been interviewed and a few objective (hell, even one would have been a huge improvement) statistics been included; unfortunately, it was just the above kernel of an idea, expressed in about 50 words, stretched out into more than a thousand.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Mercs in Mexico
Excélsior pointed out yesterday that the Mérida Initiative combined with Mexico's diverse security needs has created a fertile opportunity for mercenary groups like DynCorp and Xe, née Blackwater. Such companies already operate drones and other security programs along the border, and we can, according to the author, expect to see mercs training Mexican troops and perhaps even protecting oil pipelines.
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Of course, at this point, no one knows if Xe (aka Blackwater, aka Graystone, aka a lot of other aliases) is bidding on "Merida" contracts. They refused to comment, according to the 16 July 2009 Reuters report on this issue.
I missed that Reuters report, do you have a link?
Link is here.
It would be Xe, not Greystone.
Greystone attracts all the wrong sort of attention from the silly-season conspiracy crew. It isn't a shady subsidiary dedicated to the establishment of private world fascism. Rather, it's a tax shelter. It lets Xe earn money from foreign contracts and keep that money outside the United States. Sneaky, perhaps, but not conspiratorial.
In the case of Merida money, it would be Xe, not Greystone, since Greystone cannot accept U.S. government contracts. Well, it can, but the parent company would wind up being double-taxed, or at least having to jump through ridiculous hoops to avoid double-taxation.
Y'know, Patrick, since the right has taken absolute leave of its senses and allowed wingnuttery to become mainstream GOP rhetoric, I have become less tolerant of my own side's insanity.
I'd be surprised if Greystone would accept a pipeline security contract in Mexico, although it isn't outside the bounds of possibility.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Mexican government decided to use Xe's facilities for training. That would, in fact, seem to be a good idea; I have doubts that the Mexican police is ready to ramp up training quickly or effectively.
Training isn't that sexy, though.
I dont think the commentary on this issue has been particularly insane, do you? Schakowsky's comments were pretty measured, and she's always been a reliable lefty voice against military contractors in Iraq (if I remember from days in Chicago). I dont think that there should be a ban on mercenary participation (maybe the use of the word "mercenary" makes it seem more critical, kind of a loaded term), but it's definitely something for Mexico and the US to be aware of. I would much rather spend a Merida dollar on training than on a new helicopter, but I also think, all things being equal, it would be better for American government agencies to train their troops. More accountability, more control, less appearance of boondoggling, less potential for demagoguery.
Also, the GOP's gone off the rails? I dont know what youre talking about.
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